Opioid awareness

Find out more about what opioids are, how they are used, and what you can do to prevent harm from opioid overdose.

Keeping the campus community healthy

Make informed decisions about your substance use. If you need support with opioid dependency, education on lower risk opioid use, or resources to cut back or stop using opioids, contact us at 403-210-9355. Our Harm Reduction Support Advisorcan help.

Opioids are a family of prescription and illicit drugs including codeine, heroin, oxycodone, morphine and fentanyl. They’re generally given to manage pain, but are also illicitly used because they cause euphoric feelings.

Opioids like fentanyl can be found as contaminants in illicit substances, increasing the risk of accidental overdose.

Who uses opioids?

People of all demographics are opioid users. Since opioids are effective for pain management, they’re frequently prescribed for chronic and acute pain, or conditions including severe coughs.

If you see a suspected opioid overdose on campus, call 9-1-1 and then Campus Security at 403-220-5333. They’re trained to respond to situations like this and are able to administer naloxone.

If you’re trained to administer naloxone, and have your kit handy, you can administer naloxone to the person you suspect is having an overdose. Naloxone will not harm them if it turns out they didn’t use opioids. First, call 9-1-1 and then Campus Security, then administer naloxone.

Naloxone is the antidote to opioid overdose. It’s an injectable medication that reverses the effects for 30-60 minutes, allowing the person to breathe normally and regain consciousness while help is on the way.

Who can have a naloxone kit?

Anyone can carry a naloxone kit on their person at any time.

How can I get one?

Naloxone kits are available from Student Wellness Services, where you’ll be trained to recognize and respond to an overdose, and administer naloxone. Call 403-210-9355 to book a training appointment with a registered nurse.

UCalgary Employees call 403-220-2918 to book individual training with a registered nurse in Staff Wellness, or register for ongoing group training.

Fentanyl is an opioid that is 100 times stronger than its counterparts. It may be prescribed to manage pain, just like other opioids. Fentanyl is also often found mixed in illicit drugs like heroin, and a very small amount can cause an overdose.

Who is at risk for Fentanyl poisoning?

Taking your prescription as directed by your doctor is the safest way to use Fentanyl. It’s hard to determine your risk for Fentanyl overdose if you are using illegal drugs, since it’s often unintentionally consumed. If you’re using any drugs, follow the safer use guidelines in the Safer opioid use section.

If you see an opioid overdose, call 9-1-1 and stay until help arrives. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act offers some legal protection. If you’ve taken drugs or have some on you when help arrives, the law can protect you.

Need help cutting back?

If you or someone you know is using opioids and needs help cutting back, there is support on campus. Make an appointment with the Harm Reduction Support Advisor for confidential, non-judgemental support with substances.